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As will be gathered from the foregoing summaries, a considerable amount of the
District Inspectors' time is taken up by new drainage work in connection with existing
buildings. This work is of a most important character, and much thought has
frequently to be given in order that satisfactory drainage may be arranged. From the
congested nature of the sites of business premises it will be recognised that in a large
majority of instances drains have to be constructed inside the buildings; and in addition
much ingenuity has to be displayed so that available space, which is frequently
small in amount, may be utilized in a satisfactory manner for the construction of
sanitary conveniences.
The City Bye-laws are excellent in character, and if complied with, ensure first
class sanitation.
The difficulties which are chiefly met with are in respect of the following .
requirements in connection with sanitary conveniences:—In basements the floor of the
water-closet shall be within five feet of the street level; one of the walls shall be an
outside wall; and a ventilated lobby must be provided where water-closets open
directly into workrooms.
In respect of nuisances I must state that in the majority of instances great
assistance is received from the owners. The proof of the existence of a defect is
as a rule followed, without demur, by immediate action. This co-operation renders
the service of even "Intimations" unnecessary in a large proportion of instances,
verbal notice being all that is required. This compliance and co-operation are
not confined to small works only, but are witnessed in respect of improvements of
considerable magnitude.
Your inspectors may safely be regarded as experts in respect of drainage
work in iron and likewise in respect of plumbing work, and speaking generally
this work is carried out in a manner which leaves little to be complained of.
With regard to plumbing work I respectfully direct the attention of the Corporation to
the suggestion of the Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers in December,
1913. Referring to the system of marking plumber's work, the Master, W. D. Caroe, Esq.,
M.A., F.R.I.B.A., stated that the Company had always recognised that associated with
the plumber and his interests were the public, and they had representatives of
Corporations, Water Boards, and Health Authorities working with them, and suggested
that such bodies might assist the objects of the Plumbers' Company to the extent of
requiring the men's registered numbers and the marks of the employers being put on
any work which is carried out. He said that it entirely dissociated the registered man
from the ordinary man who had no association with the scheme of marking, and he
quoted the instance of the Goldsmiths' Company which recently had been doing some
plumbing work and had adopted the marking system. He suggested that the City of
London would be doing a great deal to further the objects of the Plumbers' Company
if they could pass to their officials the order to mark plumbing work done for the City.
I do not know whether such requirements could be made compulsory, but at any
rate the suggestion is worth careful consideration, and I believe, that if carried out
would be productive of material advantage.
The Clerk of the Company in a letter to the Editor of Public Health draws
attention to the fact that "Under regulations of the Board of Trade and the Company,
distinguishing marks may be affixed to the work of Registered Plumbers to indicate
standards of quality and the identity of the plumbers responsible for its execution. The
regulations provide for the investigation of complaints against Registered Plumbers and
the suspension or cancellation of their registration for acts injurious to the public."